Decrease of bunker sales in the Far East, construction of FPSO and battery vessels: “Bunker Market. Prices” digest

- Bunker sales in the port of Vladivostok continue decreasing: over five months of 2023 they fell by 21% to 191.1 thousand tonnes. The fall is caused by repair works at refineries, lack of railway infrastructure and growth of refining in China.

As for refining in China, it is worth mentioning that the construction of M350, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel has been completed. The facility developed by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. can refine up to 220 thousand barrels of crude oil per day, as much as a refinery covering an area of 10 square kilometers. The vessel’s design life is over 30 years.

Japanese battery startup PowerX Inc. has unveiled a detailed design of the first-ever battery tanker. This electric propulsion vessel will feature a length of 140 meters and will have a range of 300 kilometers, enough to transport energy from offshore wind farms or power islands.

Meanwhile, the Methanol Institute (MI) has published the first comprehensive guide to methanol as a marine fuel. Sections of the report address regulatory drivers, environmental performance, engines and fuel systems, bunkering, handling and safety characteristics, costs and pricing, availability and feedstocks for conventional and renewable product.